Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Archery Gear => Topic started by: fisheral87 on November 22, 2010, 10:07:48 AM

Title: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: fisheral87 on November 22, 2010, 10:07:48 AM: Could you guys give some advice for someone who has not done any archery before, but is looking to get started?

Classes?

Buy the bow and start shooting?

How to go about buying a new setup?

Thanks,

Al
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: D-Rock425 on November 22, 2010, 10:27:39 AM: Go to a few pro shops and ask some questions is how I would start.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 22, 2010, 11:38:51 AM: Once you get set-up with a bow go find someone who will give you a private lesson. Bad habits are hard to break. Listen to everything they say and shoot shoot shoot and shoot some more!
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: blackhorn on November 22, 2010, 11:50:25 AM: I wouldn't buy a set up right off bat. I would get with someone that can guide you through everything. Then make informed decisions about what best suits you. When I first started I just jumped in and bought a bunch of stuff that I thought I needed, but didn't. I also developed habits that took awhile to overcome. If you could find a class, that would be a great way to start. Good luck and welcome to the "Dark Side".
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Snapshot on November 22, 2010, 02:19:15 PM: Go to tbwonline.org and then to the contacts page and look for Myron's name and contact info. He lives in Marysville and might help.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on November 22, 2010, 10:45:45 PM: Quote from: Snapshot on November 22, 2010, 02:19:15 PM
Go to tbwonline.org and then to the contacts page and look for Myron's name and contact info. He lives in Marysville and might help.

Good call since Myrone is right there... heck he can have him building his own bow!
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: MIKEXRAY on November 24, 2010, 01:28:04 PM: Hook up with someone that shoots, I'm sure if you ask around ( work, school, friends ) you will find someone that is into the sport. It has been my experience that people in this sport like to share info & help out new guys. Go to a shop & range and hang out, shoot some bows. Everyone has their own " expertise " , as you get to figure things out you can lean towards the style that best fits. You could even find someone on here to shoot with you and give you some insight. Mike
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: bow4elk on November 24, 2010, 01:37:42 PM: Quote from: fisheral87 on November 22, 2010, 10:07:48 AM
Could you guys give some advice for someone who has not done any archery before, but is looking to get started?

Classes?

Buy the bow and start shooting?

How to go about buying a new setup?

Thanks,

Al

Call me and I can help you get started on the right foot. Take a NBEF bowhunter education class too. PM me for more info.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 24, 2010, 01:41:15 PM: Go to a good pro shop, shoot as many bows as possible. Buy what ever fits you the best. Then just really practice! it makes a ton of diffrence. The sooner you get your setup, the more time you will have to practice.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: yakimarcher on November 24, 2010, 02:08:20 PM: You should check out the nock point in Mount Lake Terrace. I dont know if it's still open, but they have used gear and a range. im pretty sure they used to do classes too.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Ihuntelk2 on November 24, 2010, 02:18:36 PM: Ask a lot of questions, when you purchase your 1st bow i would say make it a USED bow at first. Just to make sure you want to commit to the sport, its not a cheap hobby by any means. Go to some 3-d shoots meet some people and enjoy.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: rasbo on November 24, 2010, 02:18:46 PM: fill your mouth with marbles..Then every time ya learn something,and everytime you think ya have it right spit out a marble...Once you have lost all your marbles you will be ready...Have fun,keep it simple
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: mjbskwim on November 24, 2010, 10:27:37 PM: A lot of kids working the bow shops and they like to share how smart they are.
A good thing.
they will show you all the different bows and fixtures.

Bows seem to be like guns,they all feel a little different.So feel all you can.

And don't get too centered on the most expensive (cough mathews :rolleyes:) ones.I have a couple cheap models that shoot really well.

I'm not too keen on used bows,unless you really know the guy
???

I have been doing this for about a year and love it.

Good luck
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: fisheral87 on November 25, 2010, 12:14:30 AM: Thanks guys. I have a buddy who bow hunts. I will try and shoot his bow first, then go from there. Hopefully there are some classes that are a bit further north.

Al
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 25, 2010, 02:20:01 AM: Bob hickey at the nock point is worth every penny. I promise
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Gringo31 on November 25, 2010, 05:16:29 AM: Find the bow that fits you good and then watch ebay. I recommend bows that are just over 2 years old and you'll find massive discounts.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: sneakyjake on November 27, 2010, 12:37:59 AM: Subscribe to bowhunter and peterson's bowhunting. Lot's of good articles. I never quit learning. I read a shot placement and blood tracking article tonight. I have read a few of them, but we all need to be reminded. Our trials and tribulations are much different then the others. Get in the woods with your bow and find out what makes it good for you.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: mjbskwim on November 27, 2010, 01:01:10 AM: Quote from: Gringo31 on November 25, 2010, 05:16:29 AM
Find the bow that fits you good and then watch ebay. I recommend bows that are just over 2 years old and you'll find massive discounts.

Both of mine are from Wholesale sports and were 1/2 price 2-3 yo bows but new
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: halflife65 on November 27, 2010, 07:15:07 AM: Bring your patience. If you've got that everything else will fall in line.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: npaull on December 01, 2010, 04:05:43 PM: Go with a traditional bow - recuve or longbow. It's the best, you'll never regret it. I hunted with a compound for awhile but switched years ago, would never look back...
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: fisheral87 on December 01, 2010, 11:26:14 PM: Quote
Go with a traditional bow - recuve or longbow. It's the best, you'll never regret it. I hunted with a compound for awhile but switched years ago, would never look back...

Why?
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: npaull on December 02, 2010, 01:32:27 PM: It's hard to describe, really, but there's just something really pleasing about using and hunting with a traditional bow. You give up a little in range, for sure, but it's very nice not to have to worry about so many bells and whistles (sights, rests, releases, peeps, wheels, wrenches, etc). It just feels much more like pure bow hunting. You never have to worry about range finders if you're shooting instinctively. Never have to worry about whether or not there's enough light to use your sights. You can get away from the ridiculous obsession with speed that seems to be infesting bow hunting these days... lots of reasons.

It is harder to learn, for sure. Almost anyone can pick up a compound with good sights and shoot well at known ranges pretty quickly. But it's very satisfying to work with a traditional bow, get good at it, and hunt with it. They are elegant, light, simple, and very very deadly when well handled. I've just found it to be a more pleasing, challenging, and fun way to hunt than with a compound.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: fisheral87 on December 03, 2010, 12:09:20 AM: Thank you, I appreciate the response. I hope that question didn't come across as patronizing. I think that I may progress that way. but I would like to try a compound first. I fly fish, so I do like making things more difficult. :)
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: PolarBear on December 03, 2010, 12:15:54 AM: The best chunk of advise that I can give you is once you are comfortable with your bow start practicing at ranges farther than you would shoot at an animal. For example, I occasionally practice out to 90-100 yards. What this does is it makes you super aware of every movement, anchor point, torque etc. When you step up to take a shot at short range (under 40 yards) your groups will be measured in fractions of an inch instead of inches.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Special T on December 03, 2010, 07:49:48 AM: Silver Arrow Bowmen Is a club near you cots $40 for the year has a great indoor and out door range... We are on Facebook... E Hickox rd in Mt Vernon Exit old hwy 99... Our business meeting is the first Monday of each month... this coming Monday... lots of friendly people who shoot trad and compound...
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: fisheral87 on December 19, 2010, 11:57:52 PM: I took a look at the Silver Arrow and I might check that out. Any thoughts on the Bow-tech Tomkat for sale in the classifieds? It looks to be a solid starter bow, versatile.

Al
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on December 20, 2010, 09:14:19 AM: You can't go wrong with Silver Arrow... great facilities and people. Joining a club and shooting with people there will get you a good start.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: Snapshot on December 22, 2010, 12:31:04 PM: Quote from: npaull on December 02, 2010, 01:32:27 PM
...traditional bow... They are elegant, light, simple, and very very deadly when well handled.

They are the most versatile arrow-flinging devices known to man. Nothing can be shot more quickly from more positions than a bending, bare bow. Everyone who has spent time in the woods pursuing game animals knows that opportunities can come and go in a heartbeat and that being perfectly upright isn't always possible. And therein lies the reasoning for it being superior to the modern arrow-flinging device for close-range hunting.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: bearpaw on December 22, 2010, 12:39:36 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on November 24, 2010, 01:41:15 PM
Go to a good pro shop, shoot as many bows as possible. Buy what ever fits you the best. Then just really practice! it makes a ton of diffrence. The sooner you get your setup, the more time you will have to practice.

This is good advice, a good shop near your home is a smart move. Find a shop that has an indoor range and agrees to let you practice. A good shop will teach you how to shoot properly and will let you practice indoors to get better at it. Once you master the fundamentals with professional help, then you can find new friends to shoot with or set up your own outdoor range in your back yard or back forty. Just check your local laws to make sure you can shoot on your place if you are in a town or heavily inhabited area.
Title: Re: Advice for a guy looking to start bow hunting.
Post by: let.it.fly on December 22, 2010, 12:41:17 PM: get your setup, and shoot 3-d's look for the guys in plaid or just plane t-shirts, those are the guys you will have the most fun with. if there wearing a jersey then run the other way. lol sorry ryan and dennis from wholesale, those two are the exception to that rule.